(19)

(11)

EP 1 957 629 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 13.12.2007 (43) Date of publication: 20.08.2008 Bulletin 2008/34 (21) Application number: 06844414.0 (22) Date of filing: 17.11.2006

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C12M 1/34(2006.01) G01N 33/53(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2006/044739 (87) International publication number: WO 2007/059316 (24.05.2007 Gazette 2007/21)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES GB IT NL (30) Priority: 17.11.2005 US 738330 P 21.12.2005 EP 05028102 (71) Applicant: Waters Investments Limited New Castle, Delaware 19720 (US)	(72) Inventors: ZABE, Nancy, Ann Waltham, MA 02453 (US) BASKER, Christopher, John Worcester, MA 01606 (US) (74) Representative: Müller, Christian Stefan Gerd et al Dr. Volker Vossius Patent- und Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Geibelstraße 6 81679 München 81679 München (DE)